News, notes and coming events from the Santa Cruz County food & drink scene are in focus in Lily Belli’s Tuesday newsletter.
Local Business
Posted inFood & Drink
Capitola Village fire closes Mijo’s Taqueria and stalls debut of Sandie Scoops ice cream shop
A deadly fire at a Capitola Village home Monday night damaged nearby buildings, forcing Mijo’s Taqueria to close indefinitely. The blaze also disrupted the Guajardo family’s plans to open Sandie Scoops, a new ice cream parlor next door, though they hope it could still open sooner than the taqueria.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Flying taxi rival Archer Aviation countersues Joby Aviation, claiming Santa Cruz company misled U.S. regulators and concealed ties to China
The legal battle has escalated between two companies vying to provide ride-hailing electric helicopters. Archer Aviation has filed a countersuit against Joby Aviation, alleging that the Santa Cruz-based company concealed its ties to China.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Santa Cruz County business filings: Week of March 10
Businesses operating in Santa Cruz County must register with the county clerk. Lookout Santa Cruz reviews the public filings from local businesses to report on new businesses starting in the area.
Posted inLatest News
Fire kills one, damages buildings in Capitola Village on Monday night
A fire tore through a home in Capitola Village on Monday night, killing one person and damaging the building next door that’s home to restaurants Mijo’s Taqueria and Geisha Japanese Restaurant and Tea House.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Westside startup’s innovative, self-serve soap dispensers aim to reduce single-use plastics
Wonderfil has partnered with UC Santa Cruz, Whole Foods and others to allow customers to refill bottles of soap, detergent and shampoo in their containers of choice in a fully automated process.
Posted inFood & Drink
As Murray Street Bridge traffic snarls Seabright, Engfer Pizza Works hands out slices to stuck drivers
After months of slumping sales during the Murray Street Bridge closure, Seabright businesses are adjusting to the bridge reopening last week to one-lane, alternating traffic, which quickly created long backups in the neighborhood. Engfer Pizza Works turned the gridlock into a marketing opportunity by handing out free pizza samples to drivers stuck in traffic.
Posted inFood & Drink
The best things I ate and drank in Santa Cruz County in February
Wet February weather led Lookout food and drink correspondent Lily Belli to seek warm flavors at restaurants, food trucks and bakeries across Santa Cruz County. She selects from a month of eating to highlight a loaded jacket potato, tender conchas, a comforting and lively cabbage dish and a familiar favorite at a longstanding cantina.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: La Selva drone developer clears hurdle; funding for Scotts Valley energy company; Joby, Uber unveil new app
A key milestone for Parallel Flight Technologies, $140 million for Heron Power Electronics Company and another step forward for Joby Aviation are among the topics in this week’s look at local business from Jessica M. Pasko.
Posted inFood & Drink
Lily Belli on Food: Cat & Cloud’s union push; AI controversy at Salty Otter; April’s vegan chef challenge
In the return of her Tuesday newsletter, Lily Belli notes unionization efforts at local coffee chain Cat & Cloud and a downtown Santa Cruz restaurant changing its logo over artificial intelligence backlash, and looks ahead to a plant-based April.